Collaboration of KMU NPS Core lab and LumiSTAR Biotechnology identified anti-COVID19 formulation from edible plants

Collaboration of KMU NPS Core lab and LumiSTAR Biotechnology identified anti-COVID19 formulation from edible plants

    SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate, and vaccine breakthrough infections are often heard. Is there any new weapon to deal with the virus? Kaohsiung Medical University Natural Product Libraries and High-throughput Screening Core Facility and LumiSTAR Biotechnology R&D Team developed by a formula can effectively block the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 into cells from edible plant extract library, and it is expected to develop into an antiviral drug in the future.

    The Kaohsiung Medical University Natural Product Libraries and High-throughput Screening Core Facility (NPS Core) incorporates the Taiwan indigenous plant library collected by the research team of School of Pharmacy of Kaohsiung Medical University. The NPS Core also cooperates with the Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center (KBCC), which is the largest tropical living plant conservation center in the world, and has prepared thousands of extracts from distinctive plants from KBCC. These plant extract libraries are opened to domestic and international, academic and industrial researcher for drug development. In addition, NPS Core also established TFDA food ingredient reference plant extract library (TFIR) according to the Food and Drug Administration's "List of Raw Materials for Food Use". This seemingly humble collection could be an excellent source for developing new medicines, complementary treatments, and health supplements. Associate Professor Yen, Chia-Hung, the principle investigator of the NPS Core, pointed out that it is generally believed that these plants that can be used for food or food ingredient are too common, however, after proper extraction process, we observed quite excellent biological activities in several bioassays. Since these plant materials can be used as food ingredient, they can help reduce the cost and risk in the subsequent drug or product development process, and shorten the development time. This plant extract library is currently open to researchers in industry and academia, and NPS Core also cooperates with domestic and foreign academia and industry to find solutions for various diseases from this treasure house and to improve the health of people. LumiSTAR Biotechnology is one of the user that used TGIR extract library and develop a formula against the infection of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

    Dr. Zhang, Yu-Fen, CEO of LumiSTAR Biotechnology, said that LumiSTAR Biotechnology has long been committed to the development of an ultra-high-speed cell imaging platform to support the development of drugs and cell therapy. After the outbreak, some of its focus has shifted to integrating virus-related technologies. In cooperation with the NPS Core, they identified the extracts of camellia, ground ivy, lotus seeds, and several other extracts from edible plants can effectively prevent SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells. More importantly, the inhibitory effect of the combination of these extracts on SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is as effective as antibody drugs. The formula holds great potential for developing into antiviral drugs in the future.

Graphical Abstract

Camellia, mint, lotus seed and other plant extracts can effectively prevent SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells

Extract was concentrated under reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator

NPS Core has prepared more than 6,000 extracts, and the plant extract libraries are open for industrial and academic researchers.

The principle investigator Associate Professor Yen, Chia-Hung (first from the right) and members of NPS Core

Research Team Members:

Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center

Main researcher Intro.

PI of NPS Core: Chia-Hung Yen, (Associate Professor, Graduate Institute of Natural Products) who responsible for the management, construction and maintenance of natural product libraries and high-throughput/high content screening services.

Natural product chemistry teams: KMU has long and rich experience on natural product research. Thus, we have strong supported labs led by Prof. Hsun-Shuo Chang at School of Pharmacy, and Prof. Fang-Rong Chang and Prof. Yuan-Bin Cheng at Graduate Institute of Natural Products. (Prof. Yuan-Bin Cheng currently teaches at Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University. Extracts preparation for libraries construction was carried out by Prof Cheng’s lab in KMU)

Plant material supporting team: Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center of which Prof. Chia-Wei Li at Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University is the CEO; Seed Improvement and Propagation Station; and The Witches Herb Garden.

Website of NPS Core: https://nps.kmu.edu.tw/

E-mail address of CH Yen:chyen@kmu.edu.tw